CV Half Shaft or Axle Problem.

[marbrown]

So here's the issue. I have a 2005 Mazda 3S 2.3 Manual that I started to hear a sound from the front passenger side. Finally I took time to look at it and found that my inner CV boot clamp was missing and grease was coming out of the CV area. So I called Part Souce and talked to a guy and he mentioned to turn my steering hard right and hard left and spin the rotor to
see if it makes a clicking sound. Well I did all that and NO CLICKING sound but more of a small grinding because of the lack of greese. So I was going to
put in some new grease and reclamp the boot on to see how that goes first.
What I was wondering if anyone out there knew where I could by a complete
built axle if I needed to install a new one.. The last place I want to go is Mazda and have them scam me... NO thanks... So I'd like to buy an axle possibly from the states and have another mechanic install it for me.

If anyone has some input that would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers.

[TheMAN]

a CV "half shaft" IS the axle

it really doesn't matter... if you have started hearing sounds and you noticed the boot broken/grease leaking it's too late... the bearings are worn in the axle and just putting a new boot on (which it sounds like you don't know how to do because it requires axle disassembly) will just make the noise come back

the cost it takes to rebuild an axle costs more than just getting a reman one put in

oh and depending on when your car was built, there's 2 different kinds of axles for the 05... the early builds use an axle BOLT and the later builds uses axle nuts

[marbrown]

Oh and this is what the on I have on there looks like.....

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?VISuperSize&item=170423038458

This one on ebay is used but I can't seem to find one that is similar....

[Thrizzl3]

i think mine is done too..FML..on my drivers side tho

[wikdslo]

it really doesn't matter... if you have started hearing sounds and you noticed the boot broken/grease leaking it's too late... the bearings are worn in the axle and just putting a new boot on (which it sounds like you don't know how to do because it requires axle disassembly) will just make the noise come back





I wouldn't be so quick on that.

I've had axle boots go and leak, i've replaced the boots and repacked them with grease and they were fine.

Regardless of that, the OP stated that it was just a boot clamp that needs replacing since it's missing, not the whole boot.

My advice, take it to a local mechanic, get them to repack it with grease and put on a new clamp. Worst case scenario, $20 spent to repack it and you'll know for sure in a little bit of driving if the noise will go away or if you'll be looking at replacing it.

[TheMAN]

usually when the clamp goes missing, the boot also gets wacked around and get damaged... like I said, if it's making noise, it's 99% "too late"... if the boot has gone missing and you noticed it quickly (haven't caused noise yet), then you can get away with fixing it

it's going to cost a lot more than 20 bucks to just repack it
you're forgetting how expensive labour is... that's why usually by the time you overhauled an axle, it's almost as much as just buying a reman one and putting it in! don't forget tranny fluid costs money too

[Cosmo77]

$20! Wow! If thats the way things are going....I'm gonna quit on Monday!

[wikdslo]

it's going to cost a lot more than 20 bucks to just repack it
you're forgetting how expensive labour is... that's why usually by the time you overhauled an axle, it's almost as much as just buying a reman one and putting it in! don't forget tranny fluid costs money too

Well, if you go your route and take apart the entire corner of the car to repack a boot, then yes, it will cost more.

If you go to a mechanic that just pushes the boot back and squeezes in a pack of grease, then puts on a $2 clamp. No, it shouldn't cost much more than $20.

FFS, he could do this in his driveway himself if he had a pair of cv boot pliers.

[kevcol74]

a CV "half shaft" IS the axle

it really doesn't matter... if you have started hearing sounds and you noticed the boot broken/grease leaking it's too late... the bearings are worn in the axle and just putting a new boot on (which it sounds like you don't know how to do because it requires axle disassembly) will just make the noise come back

the cost it takes to rebuild an axle costs more than just getting a reman one put in

oh and depending on when your car was built, there's 2 different kinds of axles for the 05... the early builds use an axle BOLT and the later builds uses axle nuts

I agree 100% from experience. I've chewed through alot of axles in my time, and if you notice the boot is torn or the clamp missing, its done. You can repack it for a couple bucks, then hope for the best, or fix it right.
And check Mazda before ruling them out. My brother had both axles replaced at Mazda on his 02 Tribute (only sue to the abs rings busting) for under $400. Yes, both axles replaced for under $400 at a Mazda dealer.

[TheMAN]

Well, if you go your route and take apart the entire corner of the car to repack a boot, then yes, it will cost more.

If you go to a mechanic that just pushes the boot back and squeezes in a pack of grease, then puts on a $2 clamp. No, it shouldn't cost much more than $20.

FFS, he could do this in his driveway himself if he had a pair of cv boot pliers.


the "entire corner of the car" doesn't have to be taken apart to pull an axle out

and installing large oetiker CV boot clamps isn't for novices... cheap CV boot pliers isn't going to do the job right and the clamp will end up falling off again due to the extreme amount of clamping force required

I know you're telling him how to save money, but this isn't very reliable advice for saving money for someone who doesn't really know what he's doing and we don't know the condition of the CV joint (there are no eyes and ears on the internet)

[marbrown]

First of all I’d like to thank everyone for their advice. In the end I found a mechanic to order the half shaft and install it for $200.00… Not bad in the end but now I’m experiencing a new problem after the install.

So here’s the situation and I’m really not sure what the problem is and where to pinpoint it… Now when I accelerate and shift from 1st to 2nd and 2nd to 3rd. I get sort of a clunking noise when I put the clutch in and shift. The weird thing is that it only happens to when the car has been warmed
up and driven for a bit. It also doesn’t make that noise when I gear down. Only up and only going into 2nd and 3rd and sometimes 4th.

I took it back to the mechanic that put that half shaft in and he couldn’t figure out the problem and now I’m in a delema and might have to take it to Mazda to have them look at it.

I guess I’m posting this to maybe get some ideas before taking it to the dealership.

And this noise also wasn’t happening before that new axle was installed.

If anyone could help with ideas or has had this happened I would love to hear…

Cheers.

[TheMAN]

did you check the passenger side motor mount? its common for it to break

[marbrown]

Whats the best way to check that out. If I jacked up the car could I see it myself?

[marbrown]

Just talked to my mechanic and he said he looked at that when I took it back to him and didn't see any problem with the engine mounts. Any other ideas
Anyone.... Dam cars....